Sprinter 4WD Conversion Idea, GMT-800 IFS.

[draaronr]

Can you pm me the details by chance?

 

[luthj]

They are posted in this thread (Yeah I know it's long). What specific details do you need? I need some background so I don't waste time with unnecessary information. Feel free to PM if you like.

 

[luthj]

Got the Advance Adapters spacer. Everything looks good. I need to take about 0.1" off the input gear on the TC. I also need to source some longer studs, which shouldn't be a problem. Though getting the old ones out may be fun. This adapter will also let me re-clock the TC output lower, but I don't see much advantage to that. I would need to drop the trans support even lower, and there is the risk of messing up the oil distribution in the Tcase.

 

[shade]

Seeing parts going together, even in mock-up, must feel good.

 

[luthj]

It does, its also good when I don't have to modify them!

 

[luthj]

Apparently the wrangler uses the same trans mount as the cherokee. But both use some metal brackets bolted to the top of the isolator. It doesn't appear that anyone sells this little bracket for the wrangler. i could make one I guess, but I will dig around in the parts catalogs a bit more...

 

[luthj]

Okay, figured it out. Mopars parts catalog is messed up, but found it anyways.
MOPAR 5147193AB, (not AA!). Sadly the bolt pattern is different, so my cherokee cross member with need modified or scrapped. Cest la Vie.

 

[shade]

You're all about adapters.
What's one more?

 

[luthj]

I know right? Honestly the world can be viewed purely through the lens of bolt-on bits... Actually doing engineering is super time consuming, even for minor stuff. I would rather pay someone else 100$ than spend half a day screwing around in the garage... But I am incredibly Laz.... I mean efficient.

 

[luthj]

I also got the bushings for the diff mounts. These 100$ purchases add up pretty quickly...

 

[luthj]

Looking at driveshaft options currently. The Front diff has a 3R joint (roughly sized like a 1330?). The Tcase front output is a 1310 yoke. The rear output is an internal 32 spline slip-yoke. The factory durango yoke is a 1330. The sprinters current joints are probably smaller than that? I need to measure.

So question for the collective. What size joint would be a good fit for a 9,000lb vehicle with 30-32"tires? 3.73 gear ratio. It will not be wheeled, but will occasional do stupid ******&T. The odds are I will be getting custom driveshafts, so I have some flexibility. The only unknown is that slip-yoke options are available for the 242D.

There is a small chance that a factory Jeep/dodge front axle will fit, in which case is a 1310 adequate? I can easily source a 3R to 1310 combo joint.

 

[shade]

Have you asked a driveshaft shop? I know they'll make whatever you ask, but they may have some suggestions about what will work best.

I'd suggest using the same joints as are on the rear driveshaft to cut down on your spares, but I know that may not be possible.

 

[luthj]

Yeah, I would love to have a single spare. Most vehicles use different front/rear for cost reasons though. I need to find a trustworthy shop. I guess I could contact Tom Woods out west, but they are phone only. I really dislike technical conversations verbally! Inevitably someone misses something important.

 

[shade]

Yeah, I would love to have a single spare. Most vehicles use different front/rear for cost reasons though. I need to find a trustworthy shop. I guess I could contact Tom Woods out west, but they are phone only. I really dislike technical conversations verbally! Inevitably someone misses something important.

Since you already have diagrams & photos, as well as the technical background to put it together properly, they may work off your email as well as a conversation. Worth a shot.

 

[Len.Barron]

Given your weight and joint sizing for similar weighted vehicles I wouldn’t go smaller than 1350 in the rear. 1310 up front would be plenty.